FCC Hits All Carriers with Paperwork Over AT&T/T-Mobile

The Federal Communications Commission has sent formal requests to most major U.S. wireless network operators, including Sprint, Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS, Leap Wireless and Cellular South, asking them to fill out a questionnaire regarding AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA. The FCC explained, "In order for the Commission to complete its review of the [merger] and make the necessary public interest findings ... we require written responses, supporting documentation, and data, as applicable from other commercial wireless carriers against which the applicants compete." There are nine questions in the survey and they ask for information such as coverage maps, future network expansion plans, cell site ownership details, existing agreements with AT&T, spectrum outlook for the next five years, competitive reports on how they respond to other carriers, and all current billing data. The carriers have until June 20 to file their responses.